Seating System Shaped Like a Beverage Container

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention include seating systems shaped to look like various types of beverage containers, such as for promotional, advertising, sponsorship, spectator viewing, broadcasting, announcing, novelty, or other purposes. Among other things, the seating system includes a body portion and two end portions, where the body portion is typically decorated to look like a specific beverage container and the end portions are configured to look like the top and bottom portions, respectively, of that specific beverage container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/654,536 entitled SEATING SYSTEM SHAPED LIKE ABEVERAGE CONTAINER filed Jun. 1, 2012, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a seating system shaped likea beverage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood byreference to the following detailed description, taken with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary can-shaped seatingsystem in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an alternate view of thecan-shaped seating system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a top end section for a can-shapedseating system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a bottom end section for acan-shaped seating system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary bottle-shaped seatingsystem in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention (in this example, a water bottle configuration);

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration andrelative dimensions of an alternative bottle-shaped seating system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing various views of an inflatable topend section for a bottle-shaped seating system in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing various views of an inflatablebottom end section for a bottle-shaped seating system in accordance withone exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing additional details of theinternal geometry inflatable top and bottom end sections for abottle-shaped seating system in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing side-by-side views of acan-shaped seating system and a bottle-shaped seating system inaccordance with a reusable body section that can be used in bothconfigurations;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative bottle-shapedseating system in which the body section has a substantially squarecross-section, as in certain cartons and liquor bottles;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative can-shaped seatingsystem that has openings at both ends and multiple rows of seating(which may be at different levels, e.g., as in stadium seating);

FIGS. 14 and 15 area schematic diagrams showing cross-sectional views ofthe alternative can-shaped seating system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary arrangement ofcan-shaped seating system “suites” such as might be placed in a stadium,exhibition hall, etc.;

FIGS. 17-21 are schematic diagrams showing some details for fabricationof the outer shell of the body section, in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative bottle-shapedseating system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include seating systems shaped tolook like various types of beverage containers, such as for promotional,advertising, sponsorship, spectator viewing, broadcasting, announcing,novelty, or other purposes.

Among other things, the seating system includes a body portion and twoend portions, where the body portion is typically decorated to look likea specific beverage container and the end portions are configured tolook like the top and bottom portions, respectively, of that specificbeverage container.

Thus, for one example, a seating system can be made to look like acan-shaped beverage container (e.g., soda can, beer can, juice can, keg,etc.), with one end configured to look like the top of the can (e.g.,with a pop-top design) and the other end configured to look like thebottom of the can.

For another example, a seating system can be made to look like abottle-shaped beverage container (e.g., a water bottle, sports drinkbottle, soda bottle, liquor bottle, wine bottle, milk bottle, juicebottle, insulated bottle, etc.), with one end configured to look likethe top of the bottle (e.g., tapered with a spout and cap) and the otherend configured to look like the bottom of the bottle.

Such seating systems can be made to look like other types of beveragecontainers, such as, for example, cartons.

The bottom and/or top of the seating system may be (and typically are)removable/exchangeable end sections that attach to a separate bodysection, e.g., using bolts or other fasteners. In such embodiments, forexample, a body section may be reused, e.g., in a can configuration inone instance and in a bottle configuration in another instance, i.e., byattaching the appropriate top and bottom sections to the body section.The top and/or bottom sections of the seating system can be made fromany of a variety of materials. For example, the end sections of acan-shaped seating system may be fabricated from plastic or fiberglass,while the end sections of a bottle-shaped seating system may beinflatable plastic elements (since bottle tops and bottoms generallyhave larger and more complex geometries than can tops and bottoms);however, the present invention is not limited to any particular materialfor the top and bottom end sections. The decorations on the body sectionare typically designed to mimic a specific beverage container (e.g., aspecific produce) are typically designed to be quickly and easilychanged to allow for changes in promotional, advertising, sponsorship,novelty, or other purposes (e.g., the decorations may include decals,stencils, signage, holders for posters or other bills, electronic media,etc.).

Thus, the body section of the seating system may be substantiallycylindrical as in many can and bottle configurations or may be othershapes, such as, for example, substantially square as in certain cartonsor liquor bottles. A base portion of the body section may include a flatsurface so as to rest more easily on the ground or other surface.

The seating system typically includes at least one opening through whichpeople can enter and exit. This opening may be in the body sectionand/or in one or both of the end sections. The opening may or may not beprovided with a door or other covering (e.g., a walk-through screen).

The body section of the seating system includes a number of seats (e.g.,a number of stadium seats of the type that might be used in sportsstadiums, or perhaps specialized seating that might be an upgrade overother stadium seats) and optionally may include other amenities, suchas, for example, an audio/video system (e.g., one or more flat screenTVs), a gaming system, a climate control system (e.g., heating, airconditioning), food storage/vending system (e.g., a refrigerator), foodand beverage holders, a bathroom, etc.

The body section typically (but not necessarily) includes an openingthrough which people seated inside of the seating system can view eventshappening outside of the seating system, such as, for example, sportingevents, parades, etc. The opening may or may not have a door or othercovering (e.g., glass, plastic, screen, mesh, etc.). In some cases, ascreen or mesh covering can be decorated on the outside to match thespecific beverage container while still allowing people inside of theseating system to see out.

In typical embodiments, the body section of the seating system ismodular so that it can be shipped or stored in pieces and then assembledas needed, although the body section alternatively may be fabricated inone piece.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary can-shaped seatingsystem in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. For convenience, this embodiment is referred to in the figureas a FANCAN™. Shown here is a side view (A) on the side having anopening to allow people inside to view events outside, a top end view(B), a bottom end view (C), a top cut-out view (D), and across-sectional view (E) at approximately the line marked “x.” The topview (D) is marked to show the demarcations between the body section,the top end section, and the bottom end section. In this exemplaryembodiment, the bottom end section (C) includes an opening and alsoincludes a couple of steps (which may or may not be integral with thebottom end section) to facilitate entry and exit, while the top endsection includes an element configured to look like a pop-top. As shownin the side view (A), the outside of the body section, top end section,and/or bottom end section can be decorated, e.g., with a promotion,advertisement, sponsor, etc. (indicated by “NAME”). In this example,optional flatscreen TVs are included in the body section.

As shown in the cross-sectional view (E), the body section includes anouter shell (e.g., made of aluminum) and a floor with underlying floorsupports to support the seating.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an alternate view of thecan-shaped seating system of FIG. 1. Here, the optional flat screen TVsand gaming system are highlighted.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a top end section for a can-shapedseating system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a bottom end section for acan-shaped seating system, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary bottle-shaped seatingsystem in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention (in this example, a water bottle configuration). Forconvenience, this embodiment is referred to in the figure as a FANCAN™.Shown here is a side view (A) on the side having an opening to allowpeople inside to view events outside, a top end view (B), a bottom endview (C), a top cut-out view (D), a cross-sectional view (E) atapproximately the line marked “x,” and a back side view (F) on the sideopposite the opening. The top view (D) is marked to show thedemarcations between the body section, the top end section, and thebottom end section. In this exemplary embodiment, the bottom end section(C) includes an opening and also includes a couple of steps (which mayor may not be integral with the bottom end section) to facilitate entryand exit, while the top end section is configured to look like a waterbottle top. As shown in the side views (A) and (F), the outside of thebody section, top end section, and/or bottom end section can bedecorated, e.g., with a promotion, advertisement, sponsor, etc.(indicated by “NAME”). In this example, optional flatscreen TVs areincluded in the body section.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration andrelative dimensions of an alternative bottle-shaped seating system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing various views of an inflatable topend section for a bottle-shaped seating system in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing various views of an inflatablebottom end section for a bottle-shaped seating system in accordance withone exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing additional details of theinternal geometry inflatable top and bottom end sections for abottle-shaped seating system in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing side-by-side views of acan-shaped seating system and a bottle-shaped seating system inaccordance with a reusable body section that can be used in bothconfigurations.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative bottle-shapedseating system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative bottle-shapedseating system in which the body section has a substantially squarecross-section, as in certain cartons and liquor bottles. Shown here is aside view (A) on the side having an opening to allow people inside toview events outside, a bottom end view (C), a top view of just the bodysection (D).

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative can-shaped seatingsystem that has openings at both ends and multiple rows of seating(which may be at different levels, e.g., as in stadium seating).

FIGS. 14 and 15 area schematic diagrams showing cross-sectional views ofthe alternative can-shaped seating system of FIG. 13. As can be seen, inthis example, there are two rows of seating arranged in astadium-seating arrangement, with a front aisle.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary arrangement ofcan-shaped seating system “suites” such as might be placed in a stadium,exhibition hall, etc.

FIGS. 17-21 are schematic diagrams showing some details for fabricationof the outer shell of the body section, in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention may bedesigned or adapted to accept or include an elevation package to elevatethe container-shaped seating system, e.g., if needed for proper orimproved viewing or display. The elevation package may include extrastairs.

It should be noted that, while the embodiments shown in the figuresgenerally have the container-shaped seating system in a horizontalposition, alternative embodiments may have the container-shaped seatingsystem in a vertical (i.e., upright) or other position.

It should be noted that seating systems can be fabricated as stand-alonestructures (e.g., for situation in a field, stadium, parking lot, etc.)or can be portable, such as, for example, by placing the seatingarrangement on a trailer or vehicle. It should be noted that theinventor considers trailers or vehicles having seating systems of thetypes described herein to be alternative embodiments of the presentinvention.

It should be noted that, in addition to (or in lieu of) having the topand/or bottom sections of the seating system configured to look like thecorresponding top and bottom sections of a specific beverage container,the top and/or bottom sections may include other decorative features,such as, for example, an element configured to look like a straw, anelement configured to look like beverage pouring out of the beveragecontainer, an element configured to look like lips drinking from thebeverage container, etc. Similarly, the body section may include otherdecorative features, such as, for example, an element configured to looklike a hand holding the beverage container, an element configured tolook like ice cubes cooling the beverage container, etc. Such decorativefeatures typically would be added to the generic seating system (e.g.,an inflatable attached to the section) although some may be integralwith the fabricated body section and/or end section.

It should be noted that any dimensions shown in the drawings areexemplary only. Seating systems can be made in virtually any size.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the true scope of the invention, and numerous variationsand modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art based onthe teachings herein. Any references to the “invention” are intended torefer to exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not beconstrued to refer to all embodiments of the invention unless thecontext otherwise requires. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage-shaped seating system having an outerportion shaped like a beverage container and an interior having a numberof seats.
 2. A beverage-shaped seating system according to claim 1,comprising: a body section including the seats; a top end section; and abottom end section.
 3. A beverage-shaped seating system according toclaim 2, wherein the top end section and/or the bottom end section areremovable/exchangeable such that the body section can be used with avariety of top end sections and bottom end sections.
 4. Abeverage-shaped seating system according to claim 2, wherein the bodysection is modular.
 5. A beverage-shaped seating system according toclaim 2, wherein the top and bottom end sections are configured to looklike the top and bottom sections of a can.
 6. A beverage-shaped seatingsystem according to claim 2, wherein the top and bottom end sections areconfigured to look like the top and bottom sections of a bottle.
 7. Abeverage-shaped seating system according to claim 2, wherein the bodysection is substantially cylindrical.
 8. A beverage-shaped seatingsystem according to claim 2, wherein the body section is substantiallysquare.
 9. A reusable body section for a beverage-shaped seating system,the reusable body section attachable to removable top and bottom endsections and including seating.
 10. A portable seating system comprisinga trailer or vehicle including a beverage-shaped seating system havingan outer portion shaped like a beverage container and an interior havinga number of seats.
 11. A portable seating system according to claim 10,wherein the beverage-shaped seating system comprises: a body sectionincluding the seats; a top end section; and a bottom end section.
 12. Aportable seating system according to claim 11, wherein the top endsection and/or the bottom end section are removable/exchangeable suchthat the body section can be used with a variety of top end sections andbottom end sections.
 13. A portable seating system according to claim11, wherein the body section is modular.
 14. A portable seating systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the top and bottom end sections areconfigured to look like the top and bottom sections of a can.
 15. Aportable seating system according to claim 11, wherein the top andbottom end sections are configured to look like the top and bottomsections of a bottle.
 16. A portable seating system according to claim11, wherein the body section is substantially cylindrical.
 17. Aportable seating system according to claim 11, wherein the body sectionis substantially square.